Rising Stars: Meet Kristin Soghmonyan of Glendale

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Soghmonyan

Hi Kristin, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m Kristin Soghmonyan, founder of MRK Designs. My story begins with my Armenian roots, where resilience and artistry have always been central. Tailoring has been in my family since 1949, starting with my grandfather, who established his shop in Syria after fleeing the Armenian genocide. My father, who inherited this craft, has now passed it on to me. After my grandfather’s passing in 2020, I felt a deep desire to honor his legacy by keeping our family tradition alive. This led to the birth of MRK Designs in 2020, initially launched in Dubai, where I lived for 22 years. In 2021, I moved to Los Angeles to further explore my passion for art and fashion, blending my heritage with a modern twist.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As I embarked on my journey with MRK Designs, one of the biggest challenges I faced was acquiring the tailoring skill itself. It’s a craft that demands time, patience, and a lot of trial and error. Each fabric has its own personality, and learning how to work with them effectively was no easy task. Beyond mastering the technical aspects, gaining brand awareness has been another significant hurdle. Building a brand from the ground up requires persistence, creativity, and navigating the competitive world of fashion. These challenges have been tough, but they’ve also been essential in shaping my path and helping me grow as a designer. Moving to Los Angeles presented its own set of challenges. Navigating a new city, finding the right fabric markets, and getting accustomed to the pace of life in LA were all hurdles I had to overcome. Adjusting to a different environment while trying to establish my brand added another layer of complexity to my journey. Despite these challenges, each step has brought me closer to realizing my vision for MRK Designs.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I hold a bachelor’s degree in digital production & storytelling, and I’m deeply involved in the indie film industry in Los Angeles as an art director and set designer. I’m also the co-founder of a prop house called 3A Props, which I started with my business partner Johnny Cannizarro. This work, along with my fashion line, brings me immense pride. I’m particularly excited about our monthly pop-up markets with Verona in Studio City, where I get to connect with the local community.
Being in LA, surrounded by the vibrant film industry, has been a blessing, especially since Dubai didn’t have a film industry at the time. The artists I meet here and the visions they bring to life are truly inspiring. While some have suggested I dive into wardrobe design due to my fashion background, I intentionally keep my work in fashion and film separate. Both are dear to me, and I cherish them as distinct parts of my creative expression.
Art runs in my family—my father is an artist and interior designer, and my mother also paints and draws. As Armenians, creativity is in our blood, whether it’s painting, writing, music, or sculpture. This deep-rooted artistic heritage sets me apart and fuels my passion for both the film and fashion industries.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
When it comes to risk-taking, I believe that everything we do carries some level of risk—whether it leads to failure or success, you never know unless you try. As a woman, I rely heavily on my instincts, which have proven to be almost always right. I follow my gut when making decisions, whether it’s choosing fabrics, designing, participating in pop-up markets, or even trusting others in the business. I firmly believe that taking risks is essential for growth. You have to explore all your options to learn, grow, and ultimately make your business succeed. I also believe there’s nothing wrong with failing. Failure can be a powerful teacher—it redirects you, weeds out the bad, and ultimately helps you become the best version of yourself.

Pricing:

• Short Sleeves are $149
• Long Sleeves are $189
• Crochets are $79
• Cropped shirts are $99
• Two piece sets $249

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Mrk1958.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrkdesigns1958?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr